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SvennoJ on 21 March 2024
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Most Palestinians would remain in Gaza in case of Rafah invasion: Survey

The survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) presents interesting findings about perceptions of a potential Israeli ground invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza.

Half of those polled in the occupied West Bank said Palestinians would rush towards the Egyptian border in case of an invasion, with 24 percent of Gazans sharing this belief. Overall, 40 percent said they think they would go to the border.

Sixty-one percent of respondents said they believe the Egyptian army and police would shoot at Palestinians if they see them rushing toward the border en masse, with Gaza residents sharing a stronger opinion on this than their West Bank counterparts – 68 percent compared to 55 percent, respectively.

Almost 70 percent of respondents said they would not leave their homes or shelters if the border barriers between Gaza and Egypt somehow fell.


Displaced Palestinians camp near the border fence between Gaza and Egypt, on February 16, 2024 in Rafah


Rafah Gaza’s ‘last hope’

UNICEF Spokesperson James Elder says the southern Gaza city is home to some of the coastal enclave’s “last remaining hospitals, shelters, markets and water systems”.

“Rafah is Gaza’s last hope,” he said in a post on X.

The comments from Elder come as Israel is preparing for a ground offensive on Rafah, where more than one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering in overcrowded camps.



Translation: “Rafah is home to some of Gaza’s last remaining hospitals, shelters, markets and water systems. Rafah is Gaza’s last hope.” – UNICEF spokesperson James Elder. The world must not remain silent or turn its back. Children need a ceasefire now.